Chickens and other livestock are broadly permitted in unincorporated Butte County under Chapter 24 (Zoning), with standards that vary sharply by zone. Agricultural (AG), Foothill Residential, and rural residential zones are highly permissive; small-lot residential zones limit numbers and require setbacks.
Butte County is largely agricultural — animal keeping (chickens, goats, horses, cattle) is a by-right use in AG, AG-40, AG-160, RR, and FR zones with no per-parcel cap on chickens. Small-lot residential zones (R-1, etc.) allow limited backyard chickens, typically requiring setbacks from neighboring dwellings. Roosters are usually restricted in suburban-pattern zones because of the barking-dog/noise framework in Chapter 41A and Chapter 4. The cities of Chico (Municipal Code §19.76.040) and Paradise have their own animal-keeping ordinances that govern inside their city limits and are stricter. Animal Control administers cruelty and stray rules under Chapter 4; zoning compliance is administered by the Department of Development Services.
Zoning violations (too many animals for the zone, inadequate setbacks, illegal commercial use) trigger Code Enforcement action — typically a notice to abate followed by administrative fines if uncorrected. Animal welfare issues are referred to Butte County Animal Control.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Butte County, CA
Butte County Code Chapter 4 (Animals) defines a barking dog as one that barks, bays, cries, howls, or makes noise for an extended period of time that disturb...
Butte County, CA
Butte County Code Chapter 41A (Noise Control) prohibits excessive, unnecessary or offensive noise that disturbs the peace and quiet of any neighborhood in th...
Butte County, CA
In unincorporated Butte County, recreational vehicles, travel trailers, and boats may be stored on a private residential parcel but cannot be occupied as a d...
Butte County, CA
Most of unincorporated Butte County lies in the State Responsibility Area (SRA) classified by CAL FIRE as Moderate, High, or Very High Fire Hazard Severity Z...
Butte County, CA
Butte County Code Chapter 38A (Fire Prevention and Protection) and California Public Resources Code §4291 require property owners in the State Responsibility...
Butte County, CA
All fireworks — including "safe and sane" — are prohibited in the unincorporated areas of Butte County and in the towns of Paradise and Chico. "Safe and sane...
See how Butte County's chickens & livestock rules stack up against other locations.
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